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Chapter 3
“I could marry an outsider or sleep with a monster—what does it matter to you? Oh, if you’re feeling lonely at night, I can catch you a cute one myself.”
Despite Erno’s sarcastic and bold remark, the old man Ragna just smiled pleasantly, unfazed. The more Ragna’s eyes crinkled like a crescent moon, the tighter the young king’s jaw clenched.
Erno stepped closer and spoke coldly.
“Ragna Nidhogg. I am the ruler of this land and your sovereign. Don’t forget your place again.”
“…And I am a senior elder of the council who only offers honest advice to our Jarl. I hope our sincerity is not ignored.”
“So you came to force me to marry my sister?”
“I admire your sharp insight, Jarl.”
“Ragna Nidhogg!”
Furious, Erno reached for the elder’s throat.
Their eyes—like a wolf and a snake—clashed in midair with sparks of tension.
“…An old man spoke foolishly. Please forgive me, Jarl Erno.”
Just before being grabbed, Ragna backed down. He was a man who knew how to protect his life. The soldiers around Erno looked ready to tear him apart.
Facing Erno directly would’ve been foolish.
“Veronica may not be my blood sibling, but she’s like a real sister to me. Are you saying I should marry her like some beast?”
Erno leaned in and growled into the elder’s ear.
“If you’re going to treat me like an animal, you should’ve done it ten years ago.”
He stepped back, like shaking filth off his sword, and turned to Veronica.
“Sorry you had to hear such unpleasant things.”
“I’m fine. Actually, I came to give you something.”
“For me?”
She took out a small medicine bottle. Erno accepted it, looking grateful and a little guilty.
“Thank you.”
“No, I’m sorry. I wish I could do more for you.”
She called it “just a small thing,” but the medicine she made was something Erno couldn’t live without.
Veronica hesitated, not yet following the elder out.
“Is there something else?”
She bit her lip, then softly said,
“I just feel sorry for you.”
“…Me?”
She nodded slightly.
“There’s a rumor spreading among outsiders… that you’re a monster who eats his brides. I’m sure your new bride thinks the same. What if she starts screaming that she’d rather die than marry you?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Erno gave a dry laugh and brushed it off. But his eyes flickered, and Veronica noticed.
“It happened last time, didn’t it? Do you really think this bride will be different?”
His expression hardened instantly. His previous bride had tried to kill herself in front of him before running away to her family.
“If I were your bride, the elder wouldn’t have dared speak like that…”
“Veronica. It’s late. Go back. It’s dangerous.”
He cut her off mid-sentence. But Veronica looked at him with sad eyes and muttered,
“I still can’t believe Fenril, who once had marriage talks with the imperial family, ended up like this…”
Erno didn’t respond. She added one last thing before leaving.
“Oh, right. Today’s the day the new bride arrives. I hope she lasts longer than the last one.”
Meanwhile…
The servants from Fenril Castle led Diana to the dining hall.
It was late for dinner, but after a long journey, Diana was happy to eat.
‘Will I eat with the Duke?’
She quickly checked her clothes. She didn’t want to leave a bad first impression on her future husband.
But the hall was empty. Even more confusing, the servants respectfully offered her the head seat at the table.
It was her first time ever sitting at the most honored seat. She tried not to show how nervous and awkward she felt.
“Um, the salad looks delicious.”
“That’s just decoration.”
“Oh… such beautiful flowers. What are they called?”
“Roses. Imported from the South.”
Her efforts at small talk were not going well.
Diana wished she could disappear from embarrassment.
As the food arrived, she looked around the hall.
Unlike the Lapin estate, Fenril was a real castle. The walls were made of gray stone, with thick tapestries instead of wallpaper. Large fireplaces and extra braziers warmed the room, but the air still felt heavy and solemn.
She rubbed her arms and glanced around. Though the food looked delicious, she was too tense to enjoy it.
As she finished her meal, a maid approached and gave her the schedule.
“The wedding will take place over the next three days. You’ll receive more details tomorrow. Now, please rest, Lady-to-be.”
Lady-to-be.
Everything that happened today was new to Diana—but that title felt the strangest.
“Um… will I be able to meet the Duke tonight?”
She asked carefully. The maid looked surprised that she would bring it up first.
“His Grace will return to the castle tomorrow.”
So they wouldn’t tell her where he was.
“We’ve prepared the room with the best view.”
But the only window in the room was small enough to cover with her palm.
Diana didn’t know how to respond, so she just smiled awkwardly.
The maid walked quickly across the room and pulled back a large tapestry.
‘Oh, that was a curtain?’
Behind it was a large glass door that led to a terrace—much bigger than the one in the Lapin manor.
The thick curtain was needed to keep out the cold air.
From the terrace, though it was too dark to see the view, Diana could feel the salty breeze and hear waves crashing.
“The sea…?”
She focused and realized the wind she heard was actually the sound of waves. The maid nodded.
“A terrace with an ocean view. How amazing. Thank you.”
Diana couldn’t hide her joy and honestly admired the room.
The maid, though still serious, seemed gentler than before.
“Please rest well.”
Finally alone, Diana stepped onto the terrace. Though she was born in the South, she had never seen the sea before. She took in the scent of salt and seaweed.
Beyond the railing was darkness—so dark she couldn’t tell where the sea ended and the sky began.
Then, the clouds parted, and the moonlight stretched across the sea like a silver path. It looked like a goddess had walked by, dragging her dress behind her.
Without thinking, Diana leaned over the railing.
Then—
“What are you doing?”
“?!”
A voice suddenly came from behind.
Startled, Diana slipped. Her hand lost grip on the railing, and her body tilted forward.
Darkness rushed toward her face.
No way… Am I really going to die like this?
She squeezed her eyes shut.
